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Youth as researchers: Exploring the impact of COVID-19

A global youth-led research initiative

The Youth As Researchers (YAR) global initiative on COVID-19 connects and engages with young people to conduct research on the impacts of COVID-19 on young people and the responses young people have implemented to tackle these.

UNESCO and the UNESCO Chairs at the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) and Penn State University (PSU) lead a consortium of youth-led or youth-related actors to support the research through training, mentoring, and coordination.

What is the research about?

Five themes were selected to define the overall scope of investigations:

• well-being
• learning
• use of technology
• human rights
• youth action

A global survey was conducted to determine, within this framework, the key issues of concern for young people, which will inform the focus of the research conducted.

How can you be involved in the research?

Young people can be involved in a number of ways:

• Our project team includes young people from NUIG, PSU, UNESCO and our partners including five young people who are part of the Steering Committee
• Research teams of young people will work together to design and conduct the research
• Other young people will be research participants, responding to surveys, participating in interviews and focus groups
• Young people will also be able to be reviewers of the research, an important step before publication of the results
• And finally, young people will be included in the evaluation at the end of the project

We will provide on-going support to help the participants work through each stage of the research process from design to publishing results, including how to deal with problems, roadblocks and anything else that arises.

There is no fee for being involved in this project and all participation is voluntary and unremunerated.

You don’t need prior research experience as training to do the research will be provided. Researchers will receive training, certificates and be part of publishing the research.

Apply now

We are seeking applications for young people who want to be part of research teams and meet the following criteria:

• Aged 18-35 years
• Interested in learning about and conducting research, previous research experience not required but is an advantage
• Have internet access
• Willing to commit up to 10 hours per week from July to October (tentative)
• Have an interest in development issues
• Work efficiently in English or French

If you are interested please complete the online application or send the completed form to yar@unesco.org (link sends e-mail)

A panel of the partners and youth will review the applications and propose the research teams. Every effort will be made to match you into a team but spaces will be limited.

Applications close 12 July 2020.